Baylosis son-in-law illegally held, say Makabayan solons

Rep. Antonio Tinio of the Act Teachers party-list (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Two Makabayan lawmakers on Friday demanded the release of a son-in-law of a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant, who was arrested by plainclothes policemen in San Mateo, Rizal, and now detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

In a statement, ACT Teachers Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro assailed the “abduction and illegal arrest” of Marklen Maojo Maga, an organizer of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Piston.

Maga is the son-in-law of NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis, who was arrested by police and military operatives in Quezon City on Jan. 31, according to Tinio and Castro.

Taken by PNP men

The lawmakers said Maga, 39, was taken by men who identified themselves as elements of the Philippine National Police at 8:40 a.m. on Thursday at a basketball court near his house.

Maga’s family and lawyers have confirmed that he was being held at the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) compound at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“This is another attempt of the Duterte administration to threaten those who criticize and oppose his antipeople policies,” Castro said.

Senior Supt. Wilson Asueta, CIDG National Capital Region chief, said Maga was the subject of an arrest warrant for murder issued by Cabadbaran City Regional Trial Court Judge Cesar Bordalba, and that a witness to the case had tipped them off on his whereabouts.

The CIDG said Maga was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm.